RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/297,194, filed on

January 6, 2022 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0001] As the solar energy industry continues to grow, the equipment to mount photovoltaic (PV) modules (AKA “solar panels”) on different types of structures and/or locations continues to adapt and improve as well. PV systems are generally composed of a number of PV modules set within a metallic frame and a rail system that supports the modules. The rail system is attached to a support structure. The metallic frames of the individual photovoltaic modules, and the structural pieces, e.g., the rails, on which the modules mounted are generally made out of aluminum. As with other sources of electrical power, to ensure the integrity of wires running along the metal frames of the photovoltaic modules, a clip is needed in which the wire can be mounted. Despite numerous existing systems for securing and managing wires and cables, there exists room for improvement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The detailed description is set forth below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. The systems depicted in the accompanying figures are not to scale and components within the figures may be depicted not to scale with each other.

[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wire management clip installed on a modular rail, according to the instant disclosure.

[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of the wire management clip and modular rail of FIG. 1, according to the instant disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a wire management clip, according to the instant disclosure. [0006] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a wire management clip installed on a modular rail and securing multiple wires, according to the instant disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Systems and devices described herein are related to a wire management clip that may secure to a modular rail system for securing and positioning wires and/or cables or other such components relative to the modular rail system. In some examples, the modular rail system may include an extruded metal rail system, such as shown and described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/162,454, filed March 17, 2021, titled “Mounting Systems for Mounting Solar Panel Modules Including Components Thereof,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The wire management clip described herein may enable one or more cables, wires, or other components to be positioned and secured relative to the modular rail system. The wire management clip may, for example, be used to secure wires for carrying power from a solar panel to other components of a solar array system. The wire management clip may be positioned by inserting into an open edge of the modular rails system and may be positioned along the length of the modular rail by moving the wire management clip. Friction between the wire management clip and the modular rail may resist movement of the wire management clip once placed on the modular rail. The wire management clip includes a securing device for securing one or more wires or components to the wire management clip and may include, for example, a cable tie, a hook and loop fastener, magnetic fastener, or other such releasable or permanent securing devices. The securing device secures the wires or other components to the wire management clip, which is in turn positioned due to the interface between the modular rail system and the wire management clip.

[0008] The figures illustrate wire management clips that may be used as described above to secure and position wires or other components relative to a modular rail system. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wire management clip 102 installed on a modular rail 104, according to the instant disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the wire management clip 102 is intended to be installed on the modular rail 104 by spanning the width of the channel between the respective vertically extending ends of the two opposing side walls. In an embodiment, the wire management clip 102 may be generally symmetrical, as shown, about a plane 128 that bisects the modular rail 104, where the plane extends into the page of FIG. 1, i.e., along a length of the modular rail 104. In an embodiment, the wire management clip 102 may also be generally symmetrical, as shown, about a second plane 130 that is perpendicular to a length of the modular rail 104. For the sake of conciseness, the following description of elements of the wire management clip 102 refer to features that are associated with one half of the symmetrical shape of the wire management clip 102. That is, the features that are described below, which are focused on the labeled reference numbers on the right side of FIG. 2, for example, including reference numbers 106, 108, 110, may be considered to be equally and mirror-symmetrically found on the left side of the device in FIG. 2, unless otherwise stated.

[0009] Each side of the wire management clip 102 includes a lower interface portion 106 and an upper interface portion 108 that contact and enclosingly conform to the modular rail 104 at an inside edge 110 of the vertically extending open end of the respective side walls thereof. While the specific shapes of the ends of the side walls of the modular rail 104 and the lower interface portion 106 and the upper interface portion 108 of the wire management clip 102 do not have to be the same, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the interfacing shapes thereof conform to each other, which may provide greater security due to the additional surface friction involved therebetween. In this manner, the wire management clip 102 may be secured to and positioned on the modular rail 104 and generally anywhere along the length of the modular rail 104 by sliding the wire management clip 102 along the edge 110. The friction between the lower interface portion 106, the upper interface portion 108, and the edge 110 resists movement of the wire management clip 102 relative to the modular rail 104 after being slid to position. Any modular rail system or opening may be compatible with the wire management clip 102 so long as the upper interface portion 108 and the lower interface portion 106 may engage with an edge of the opening or of a device or system to resist movement of the wire management clip 102.

[0010] The lower interface portion 106 and the upper interface portion 108 engage, as shown in the figures, with the edge 110 to resist movement of the wire management clip 102 after installation. A middle interface portion 132, positioned between the lower interface portion 106 and the upper interface portion 108 engages with the edge 110 while the lower interface portion 106 and the upper interface portion extend beyond the edge 110 to partially surround the edge 110 in combination with the middle interface portion 132 and thereby retain the wire management clip 102 in position. During installation, a tapered end 134 of the lower interface portion 106 contacts the edge 110 as the wire management clip 102 is installed and causes the lower interface portion 106 and middle interface portion 132 to flex, enabling the lower interface portion to pass the edge 110 to secure against and underside and/or backside of the edge 110. The lower interface portion 106 includes a bulbous portion and/or a surface that engages with the underside and/or backside of the edge 110 when installed. In this manner, when the wire management clip 102 is installed, after the lower interface portion 106 passes the edge 110, the lower interface portion 106 and/or the middle interface portion 132 returns partially or wholly to the unflexed position, thereby “snapping” into place and securing the wire management clip 102 into the modular rail 104.

[0011] The wire management clip 102 includes a securing portion 112 that defines a concave surface 136 against which wires or other devices may rest when secured. The concave surface 136 may be curved around a single axis perpendicular to the direction of the length of the modular rail 104 (such as depicted in FIG. 1). The concave surface 136 may include a continuous or semi-continuous curvature and/or other geometry that forms a concave shape such that wires or other components secured against the wire management clip 102 are at least partially maintained in place by the concave surface 136. In some examples the single axis may be parallel with or at an angle relative to the direction of the length of the modular rail 104. The securing portion 112 may include a securing device such as a cable tie interface, hook and loop fastener, magnetic clasp, or other releasable or non-releasable securing interfaces. In some examples the securing device may be aligned along the direction of the length of the modular rail 104 such that the single axis of the concave surface is perpendicular to the securing device. The securing device may, due to the perpendicular arrangement, securely hold a wire, cable, round element, or other device against the concave surface to secure it in place relative to the modular rail 104.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of the wire management clip 102 and modular rail 104 of FIG. 1, according to the instant disclosure. The lower securing portion 106 and upper securing portion 108 are shown partially surrounding edge 110 and the resulting friction resists movement of the wire management clip 102. The wire management clip 102 also includes a brace 114 that may serve as a lower surface of the securing portion 112 in some examples, for example to provide a lower surface such that a loose end of a cable tie may be inserted between the securing portion 112 and the brace 114 to secure the securing device around a wire or other component. The brace 114 may also provide an outward force against the edge 110 that results in additional frictional force. For example, the brace 114 may be formed such that the brace 114 causes the width of the wire management clip 102 at the position of the brace 114 is wider than a distance between edges of the opening in the modular rail 104. In this manner, the brace 114 is compressed when the wire management clip 102 is inserted in the opening and provides additional frictional force against the edge 110.

[0013] The wire management clip 102 defines a passage 120 through the wire management clip 102 through which a cable tie or other securing device may be inserted. The passage is enclosed by the brace 114 and the securing portion 114 such that a securing device may be inserted through passage 120 to secure a wire to the wire management device. The passage may be sized and configured to receive a plurality of different securing devices including cable ties, twist ties, hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, and other such securing devices.

[0014] In an embodiment, the wire management clip 102 may be installed by sliding the wire management clip into the opening at an end of the modular rail and then sliding to position along the length of the modular rail 104. In some examples the wire management clip 102 may be pushed into the opening, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the length of the modular rail 104 such that the wire management clip 102 snaps into place due to the width of the lower securing portion being greater than the width of the opening in the modular rail 104. The wire management clip 102 may be formed, at least in part of a plastic material or other flexible material that may allow the lower securing portion 106 to flex when inserted before returning to its original shape or near its original shape after insertion.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a wire management clip 102 with a cable tie for a securing device, according to the instant disclosure. Though other securing devices, including those listed above, among other such securing device, may be used in connection with the wire management clip 102, the example shown in FIG. 3 is illustrative of using a cable tie, and it is appreciated that other securing devices will perform in a similar manner though using different securing mechanisms. An end 120 of the cable tie may be inserted through the passage 120 (shown in FIG. 3) and the cable tie may then be secured around the wire or other component, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0016] In some examples, the wire management clip 102 includes an integral cable tie that is connected at a first end to the wire management clip 102. The cable tie includes a locking surface 118 and an end 120 while the wire management clip 102 includes a locking surface 116 as part of the securing portion 112. The end 120 of the cable tie is inserted into the securing portion 112, for example between an upper surface of the securing portion 112 and the brace 114 or another surface beneath the securing portion 112. The end 120 does not include a locking surface and is used to feed through the locking surface of the securing portion 112 until the locking surface 118 comes in contact with the locking surface 116. The contact between the two locking surfaces enables movement of the end 120 in a single direction (e.g., through the securing portion) but resists or prevents withdrawal of the end 120 or reversing direction of the cable tie. In this manner, the cable tie may be used to securely hold wires in place by tightening the cable tie and relying on the interaction between the locking surfaces to resist or prevent loosening of the cable tie. An end of the cable tie opposite from end 120 may be secured to the wire management clip 102, for example at or beneath the securing portion 112.

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a wire management clip 102 installed on a modular rail 104 and including a cable tie 122 for securing multiple wires 126, according to the instant disclosure. The wire management clip 102 is shown installed on the modular rail 104 as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 1-2. A cable tie 122 is inserted through the passage 120 of the wire management clip 102 such that the cable tie is aligned parallel to the length of the modular rail 104. The end 120 of the cable tie 122 is then inserted through a cable tie lock 124 where the locking surfaces of the cable tie 122 interact to allow the end 120 to proceed through the cable tie lock 124 to tighten around the wires 126 while also preventing or resisting loosening of the cable tie 122 once secured.

EXAMPLE CLAUSES

[0018] A: A wire management clip for positioning components relative to a rail segment, the wire management clip comprising: a body portion defining a passage through the wire management clip configured to receive a securing device; a first securing portion configured to interface with the components when secured by the securing device against the wire management clip; and a second securing portion configured to frictionally interface with the rail segment to resist movement of the wire management clip relative to the rail segment.

[0019] B: The wire management clip according to paragraph A, wherein the first securing portion comprises a cable tie having a locking surface to engage with a second locking surface positioned within the passage.

[0020] C: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs A-B, wherein the second securing portion comprises: a first protrusion that extends from the body portion in a first direction and is configured to rest against a first internal surface of a channel defined by the rail segment; and a second protrusion that extends from the body portion in the first direction and is configured to rest against a second internal surface of the channel, the second internal surface opposite the first internal surface.

[0021] D: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs A-C, wherein the first protrusion has a first width at a first end adjacent the body portion, a second width adjacent a distal end of the first protrusion, and a third width between the first end and the distal end, the third width less than the first width and the second width.

[0022] E: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs A-D, further comprising a brace extending from the first protrusion to the second protrusion, the brace coupled to the first protrusion at a first position along a first length of the first protrusion and coupled to the second protrusion at a second position along a second length of the second protrusion.

[0023] F: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs A-E, wherein the body portion, the first securing portion, and the second securing portion comprise a plastic material.

[0024] G: A wire management clip, comprising: a body defining a passage configured for securing one or more components to a rail segment; a wire securing portion extending from the body, the wire securing portion configured to interface with the passage to secure a wire in a position relative to the rail segment; and a rail securing portion configured to frictionally interface with a channel defined by the rail segment and resist movement of the wire management clip relative to the rail segment. [0025] H: The wire management clip according to paragraph G, wherein the rail securing portion comprises: a first protrusion that extends from the body in a first direction and is configured to rest against a first internal surface of the channel; and a second protrusion that extends from the body in the first direction and is configured to rest against a second internal surface of the channel, the second internal surface opposite the first internal surface.

[0026] I: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs G-H, further comprising a brace extending from the first protrusion to the second protrusion, the brace coupled to the first protrusion at a first position along a first length of the first protrusion and coupled to the second protrusion at a second position along a second length of the second protrusion, wherein the brace, the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the body define a perimeter of the passage.

[0027] J: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs G-I, wherein the first protrusion has a first width at a first end adjacent the body, a second width adjacent a distal end of the first protrusion, and a third width between the first end and the distal end, the third width less than the first width and the second width.

[0028] K: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs G-J, wherein the wire securing portion comprises a hook and loop fastener that passes through the passage.

[0029] L: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs G-K, wherein the wire securing portion comprises a cable tie.

[0030] M: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs G-L, wherein the passage comprises a locking surface configured to interface with the cable tie to retail the cable tie in a securing position.

[0031] N: The wire management clip according to any of paragraphs G-M, wherein the wire management clip is formed using a plastic material.

[0032] O: A system comprising: a support structure to support one or more components of an electrical system, the support structure comprising a rail defining a channel; and a wire management clip comprising: a body defining a passage configured for securing one or more components to the support structure; a wire securing portion extending from the body, the wire securing portion configured to interface with the passage to secure the one or more components in a position relative to the support structure; and a rail securing portion configured to frictionally interface with the channel defined by the rail and resist movement of the wire management clip relative to the support structure.

[0033] P: The system according to paragraph O, wherein the rail securing portion comprises: a first protrusion that extends from the body in a first direction and is configured to rest against a first internal surface of the channel; and a second protrusion that extends from the body in the first direction and is configured to rest against a second internal surface of the channel, the second internal surface opposite the first internal surface.

[0034] Q: The system according to any of paragraphs O-P, further comprising a brace extending from the first protrusion to the second protrusion, the brace coupled to the first protrusion at a first position along a first length of the first protrusion and coupled to the second protrusion at a second position along a second length of the second protrusion, wherein the brace, the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the body define a perimeter of the passage.

[0035] R: The system according to any of paragraphs O-Q, wherein the wire securing portion comprises a compliant member configured to wrap around the one or more components.

[0036] S: The system according to any of paragraphs O-R, wherein the wire securing portion comprises a cable tie.

[0037] T: The system according to any of paragraphs O-S, wherein the passage comprises a locking surface configured to interface with the cable tie to retail the cable tie in a securing position.

[0038] While the example clauses described above are described with respect to one particular implementation, it should be understood that, in the context of this document, the content of the example clauses can also be implemented via a method, device, system, computer-readable medium, and/or another implementation. Additionally, any of examples A-T may be implemented alone or in combination with any other one or more of the examples A-T.

[0039] While the foregoing invention is described with respect to the specific examples, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to these specific examples. Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

[0040] Although the application describes embodiments having specific structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are merely illustrative some embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims.